2016 Chardonnay CSV

VQA Beamsville Bench

About This Wine:

This wine originates from the limestone-rich soils of our Cave Spring Vineyard, located on a terrace of the Niagara Escarpment overlooking Lake Ontario known as the Beamsville Bench. Produced from the oldest, lowest yielding vines at the estate, our CSV wines embody our highest commitment to quality and authenticity.

Fermented in French oak barriques – 25% new – using 50% indigenous and 50% selected yeasts; both the indigenous and selected yeast lots remained sur lie in barrel for 12 months, fermentation included; 60% of the cuvée underwent malolactic fermentation

The nose is elegant and complex showing toasted caramel, fresh apricot, orange rind, and butterscotch with underlying notes of ginger and nutmeg. The palate is dry, fruity, medium bodied with moderate acidity. Upfront orange rind and honey dew melon lead to a rich and creamy mid palate followed by a finish that is fresh and complex with warm notes of gala apple and smoky cinnamon.

WINE ALIGN: There is little surprise that CSV and its 42 year-old vine baggage show off this early in life, in part thanks to a gregarious and generous vintage but also because few Ontario terroir cru can gift such a combination of ripeness and mineral virtue. What lays beneath the calcareous clay and what is drawn by mature, dug down deep roots comes into this orchard juice with layers of heaven and tang. Escarpment earth is a beautiful thing, even in chardonnay of such texture and feel. The acidity is a step down in 2016 but don’t let that detract from the pleasure this brings. Drink 2018-2021. Tasted February 2018. 90 points; Michael Godel